Flickr pages is a conversation based design. This Photo Clip wordpress theme is also a conversation based design. They communicate the pciture. Their design decision engaging a “let’s talk about this picture” activity. Youtube is almost there, but I feel it a bit bloated in UI term.
So, what about blog. I haven’t found any wordpress theme designed based on conversation. Designed to promote conversation. Most of the conversation is still depending on how controversial the title, how hot the image, and who writes it. Design? Design looks dull. Always giving spotlight to what the author write. Ignoring the fact that the real value is the conversation beneath it.
Maybe Friendfeed design is close to what I’m looking for. You can go to a friendfeed room to see the conversation. Plurk also sporting a quite useful UI for bird-viewing and intensive interaction. Hmm, but does it fit blog unique characteristic? Any designer felt challenged on this issue?
Conversation based design is the new magazine style theme. It will be the new black!
So, what would be crucial in conversation based design? Comments deserve more. Commentator deserve more. Articles should be presented together with comments, anywhere, to present conversation. Comment form should be non-hideous. Comment first, identity is second.
Could you identify more?